NBA playoffs: Seeding wars take hold of league

Apr. 5, 2013
|

Thunder forward Kevin Durant lets out a scream after a dunk Thursday against the Spurs in a victory that could tip the battle for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. / Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY Sports breaks down five of the most compelling seeding battles to watch for over the next two weeks (records through Friday):

Western Conference No. 1

Contenders: San Antonio Spurs (56-20), Oklahoma City Thunder (55-20)

Breakdown: These teams split their regular season games, but the Thunder won the latest and have more momentum moving forward. The Spurs are without Manu Ginobili as they enter their final six games, which include trips to three winning opponents. The Thunder's schedule is even more challenging, though. They also play at three winning opponents, but they tack on an extra road game and two more playoff-bound teams at home.

Why it's important: Home-court advantage could be essential if these teams meet in the conference finals. The home team won all four regular-season games between these teams.

Who wins it? The pick has to be the Thunder because of how the Spurs have played lately.

Eastern Conference No. 2

Contenders: New York Knicks (48-26), Indiana Pacers (48-27)

Breakdown: Playing well won't be an issue: The Knicks have won 10 in a row, the Pacers five. Their schedules the rest of the way are similar, with four more home games and four more winning opponents for each. Both play the Oklahoma City Thunder this weekend. The deciding game likely will be April 14, when the Pacers head to Madison Square Garden tof ace the Knicks.

Why it's important: These teams are the only real threats to the Miami Heat in the East, and they could meet in the second round. Home-court advantage is key.

Who wins it? With their big meeting coming in New York, the Knicks are the favorite.

Breakdown: The Clippers have a big advantage because they will win the Pacific Division, giving them the tiebreaker on the Nuggets and Grizzlies. But Denver has a nice advantage with five games at home, where they have been dominant. The Clippers and Grizzlies each have three home games and face each other. Memphis has the toughest remaining slate, with four more games against winning teams. The Nuggets have two major complications: injuries to top scorers Ty Lawson, who may miss the rest of the regular season, and Danilo Gallinari, whose status will be determined Friday after a knee injury Thursday night.

Why it's important: There are five elite teams in the West, so the team to earn the No. 3 seed won't have to face one in the first round.

Who wins it? Even if Lawson and Gallinari don't come back, the Nuggets are the pick because of their depth and head start.

Breakdown: If the Knicks and Pacers are the second tier in the East, the three teams on the third tier are almost as evenly matched. The Nets hold the advantage because of five home games and a tiebreaker on the Hawks. The Bulls have a strenuous remaining schedule, one of the densest in the NBA.

Why it's important: It may not be. The fourth and fifth seeds play each other, which is preferable to playing the Pacers or Knicks. But landing in the No. 6 seed ensures not facing the Heat until the East finals.

Who wins it? The Nets are starting ahead and probably will stay ahead, followed by the Hawks.

Western Conference No. 6

Contenders: Golden State Warriors (43-32), Houston Rockets (42-33)

Breakdown: The Warriors have four home games left to the Rockets' three. But Houston has the tiebreaker and only plays three more winning teams to the Golden State's four.

Why it's important: Would you rather face the Thunder or the Nuggets in the first round?

Who wins it? The Warriors already hold a one-game advantage and have been on a tear.